I'm already a Great Luo Golden Immortal, how come you're only Martial Saints?

Ning Chen stepped into the cave and saw the patriarch sitting cross-legged on the cloud bed, his expression as usual.

However, Ning Chen keenly sensed that there was still a trace of solemnity in the ancestor's brows, and his aura was also slightly deep, as if the ancestor's mood was not so cheerful at the moment.

"Disciple Ning Chen has returned from the mortal realm and has come to pay respects to the Ancestral Master!"

Ning Chen suppressed his doubts and bowed respectfully.

The patriarch first carefully examined Ning Chen, noticing the three willow leaf mark between his eyebrows, stroking his long beard, and nodding slightly.

Then the patriarch turned his gaze to the exquisite food box in his hand, a subtle, gentle look flashing in his eyes.

"Wuchen, it's good to see you back. What are you carrying in your hand?"

Ning Chen stepped forward and gently placed the food box on the jade table in front of the Ancestral Master's bed, carefully opening it layer by layer.

Suddenly, a variety of snacks and pastries with different shapes and fragrant aromas came into view, the exquisite grids like a miniature world of delicacies.

"Reporting back to the Ancestral Master, these are some local snacks and pastries from my hometown. Although they cannot compare to the delicacies of the immortals, they are superior in their novel and exquisite flavors. I thought that since the Ancestral Master has been cultivating in seclusion for so long, perhaps you could make a little something to supplement your diet and express your gratitude."

Ning Chen explained respectfully.

Bodhi Patriarch's gaze lingered on the dazzling array of pastries.

He gently traced the gold-painted patterns on the edge of the food box with his fingertips, a flicker of emotion passing through his eyes.

The patriarch picked up a piece of mung bean cake, put it in his mouth, and the delicate sweetness melted on his tongue. The patriarch closed his eyes and savored it carefully.

Then he tasted it, a delicate and translucent shrimp dumpling, its fresh and fragrant flavor filling his mouth.

"Mmm, crispy and soft, with a perfect balance of sweet and savory, truly a masterpiece."

The patriarch nodded slightly, a genuine look of satisfaction on his face. Even his meticulously combed silver-white beard, now stained with a few crumbs of pastry, seemed to exude a more down-to-earth charm.

"Alright, this is the kind of gift a disciple should bring to Master. Wuchen, you're very thoughtful..."

Ning Chen breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the patriarch only wanted a token of his appreciation, and the old man didn't care whether it was valuable or not.

The Bodhi Patriarch was clearly in a good mood. He raised his hand and gestured in the air, and an ancient book appeared in his palm.

Judging from its appearance, it was the same Zhouyi Cantongqi that Ning Chen had given to the patriarch as a gift.

At this moment, the pages of the book shone with an inner radiance, and a faint purple auspicious energy flowed within them, clearly indicating that the patriarch had used his supreme divine power to completely complete and perfect it.

"I have completed this copy of the *Zhouyi Cantongqi* for you; from now on, you may call it *Zifu Danyuan Zhenjie*!"

The patriarch handed the book back to Ning Chen.

"The alchemy described therein has reached perfection, and one can refine the Purple Gold Immortal Pill, seize the creation of heaven and earth, nourish the primordial spirit, refine the immortal body, and even directly point to the Golden Immortal Path. The alchemy path is vast and is also a smooth road to heaven."

Ning Chen took the book with both hands; it felt slightly heavy in his hands, and purple mist wafted between the pages.

He turned the pages of the book, and there he saw that the originally obscure text and diagrams had become clear and smooth, with every word a gem, containing profound truths and countless exquisite alchemical formulas, methods for controlling the heat, and secret techniques for refining rare and precious materials, all vividly displayed on the page.

After being revised and improved by the patriarch, this alchemical text is a hundred times more valuable than before!

"Thank you for your generous gift, Master!"

Ning Chen was overjoyed, for this was yet another method that led directly to the Golden Immortal Path.

"Um!"

The patriarch stroked his beard and gladly accepted.

"This path is profound and complex, and cannot be mastered overnight. However, you are currently preoccupied with many matters and may not have the time to delve into its study. It is not too late to carefully study it when the time is right, or you may pass it on to others, so that both parties may benefit..."

Ning Chen treasured the alchemical text and put it into his bosom, then bowed again in gratitude.

"Disciple understands and will respectfully follow the teachings of the Patriarch."

The patriarch meant that the path of alchemy is too time-consuming, and you have too many trivial matters to cultivate. However, you can pass it on to others and find someone to help you refine elixirs.

Ning Chen suddenly realized that Luo had recruited a bunch of Divine Realm cultivators, and there must be some who were good at alchemy. It just so happened that Luo had asked him to visit Tianyi Sect when he had time.

Ning Chen then took out the Soul-Slaying Banner and the Blood-Transforming Divine Blade.

"During this tribulation, I have unexpectedly obtained two treasures. I humbly request the Ancestral Master to appraise them!"

The patriarch gently beckoned, drawing the two killing magic weapons to his front. He frowned slightly, and finally sighed, taking action to erase the cause and effect in Ning Chen's case.

"Alright, alright, Wuchen, remember this well: these two treasures must be used with caution, or misfortune will surely follow..."

Ning Chen felt a chill run down his spine. If the patriarch had said so, it seemed that these two magic treasures were indeed too vicious, and it was best not to use them if possible.

Of course, if you're forced into a corner, you should use it if necessary; saving your life is the most important thing.

He lowered his head and said.

"I understand!"

Just as Ning Chen was about to take his leave, the patriarch suddenly spoke up and stopped him.

"Wuchen, wait a moment."

Ning Chen paused, then turned around respectfully.

"Does the Patriarch have any further instructions?"

Bodhi Patriarch's gaze swept beyond the cave, piercing through the mountains and clouds, and landed in the direction of Flower and Fruit Mountain in the Eastern Continent.

He remained silent for a few moments before slowly speaking.

"Your senior brother... will be completing his apprenticeship soon!"

The patriarch's words were like a thunderclap from a clear sky, suddenly exploding in Ning Chen's heart!

His pupils suddenly contracted, and his fingers gripping the alchemical scripture tightened instinctively.

Although Ning Chen had expected it, when the patriarch personally pointed out this day, the deep sense of reluctance still shook him to his core.

He knew that with the appearance of the Monkey King in the eyes of all the gods and Buddhas, the inevitable had finally arrived.

The Monkey King is about to step out of Fangcun Mountain, stir up the winds and clouds of the Three Realms, and become the towering Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong!

However, when that day finally arrived, Ning Chen still felt a deep sense of reluctance.

He and Monkey King spent every day together.

The two were no longer brothers, but their bond was stronger than that of brothers!

The cave was silent for a moment...

Ning Chen knew that the figure just now was probably there to communicate with the patriarch about this matter. The patriarch had previously said that he was only teaching this monkey senior brother to fulfill a task.

Ning Chen felt a surge of reluctance in his heart. His throat tightened slightly, and he cupped his hands and whispered.

"This disciple understands..."

Bodhi Patriarch sat upright on his cloud bed, taking in Ning Chen's expression.

He sighed softly, a sigh that pierced through the long years, carrying a profound understanding of the ways of the world.

My disciple is fine in every way, except that he is too sentimental, which will inevitably cause many troubles in the future.

"Foolish child!"

The patriarch's voice was calm, yet it struck Ning Chen's heart like a heavy hammer.

"Your senior brother's descent from the mountain this time is predestined; he is fulfilling his mission and settling a karmic debt. It's not like he's going to die and his soul will be scattered!"

The patriarch's words were calm and serene, yet they carried a sense of composure born from a profound understanding of the world.

His gaze fell on Ning Chen, and he added a sentence that carried a hint of admonition, yet also seemed to be a form of comfort.

"Furthermore, when did I ever say you were forbidden to visit him? The gates of Fangcun Mountain are not closed; the world is vast for you to roam freely. Why act like such a child!"

Ning Chen suddenly looked up, and the patriarch's words were like the sun breaking through the clouds, instantly clearing the confusion in his heart.

Yes! Senior brother is just going down the mountain, it's not a farewell!

Since he was allowed to visit, what difficulty would it be for his fellow disciples, even though Flower Fruit Mountain was far away?

Even if my senior brother stirs up trouble and causes a huge disaster in the future, as long as he is alive, we will meet again!